I come to an MMA forum because i figure i will get the most diverse answer, and straightforward answer possible.

My question might sound like one from a douche bag wanting to pick fights. However its quite the opposite, I have never been in a fight. And knowing it takes years or even decades to become proficient at even 1 style of martial arts means I cant simply try them all out.

So to be practical, as i have NO wish of fighting in tournaments or to compete. My only thought is, IF i happened to get into a situation where I would need to throw a punch, to be able to do some damage or minimize the damage i take. What school of fighting would be most applicable to a bar fight, or a skirmish on the street. Boxing? Kick boxing?

What Style would be best to train in, as a hobby. I would not be able to train 5 times a week all year. But closer to 1-2 a week @ the location then a few hours a week on my own at home.

(im not asking for which style is superior, or what will make me the best fighter all around. Strictly a street fight 1-1 , or 1-2. I know i wont become a fighting machine with a couple training sessions but I know there is a difference of night and day between some training and no training.)

I would have to say boxing or kickboxing, only difference is stance and kickboxing adds kicks, obviously. Now if you mean pure street fight where two guys brawl it out I would suggest boxing. If its more like the "organized" street fights like the wannabe kids who do "MMA" fights and put them on youtube I would suggest kickboxing but then if its classic then kicks are not usually liked so again choose boxing.

Remember its how good you are with the art and how much your practice and so forth. Plus boxing is fun.

Also if you think there is the slightest chance you will get taken to the ground I would suggest learning some basic wrestling.

I would say Muay Thai. If it gets into a clinch or within clinch range, as street fights very often do, a guy who is trained in Muay Thai is deadly, when you take into account the Thai clinch, where you can throw knees, elbows, etc..

In my opinion kickboxing is pretty uneffective in a street fight, at least the kicking side of it.. if you throw a spinning back kick in a street fight you're either gunna get caught in mid air and slammed on the floor or you're gunna land it and land on your feet off balance for a split second, where some other sucker could take advantage of it. On the other hand, Muay Thai is all about quick, effective & close range attacking, delivering as much damage as possible in the shortest time.

If it goes to the ground then yeah it would be advantageous to have some kind of experience in wrestling or BJJ, but only so you can use it to get back to your feet as quickly as possible, because you don't want someone stamping on your face as you're trying to triangle choke someone

Krave is a cut throught style built stricly for self defense. It teaches you every thing from the basic punch combos to grappling to gun and knife disarms. It is a very simple style that mis meant to perfect the basics and help you get out of any street situation. You won't turn in to an mma champ by taking it but it will keep you from getting your ass handed to you on the street.

You want to throw punches? You want to knock guys out? It doesn't matter. Boxing, Kickboxing, Muay Thai, MMA, whatever. Doesn't matter. Any of those disciplines that appear straightforward are straightforward enough for your purposes. You'll be able to lay out any punk you meet outside a bar, as per the Kimbo video posted above.

But my honest suggestion to you (in order of relativity (sort of), Japanese Jujitsu, Judo, Hapkido, even Tai Chi Chuan or Aikido, under a very good instructor, of course. Or any style of kung fu or karate that work closely with Chin Na or Taijutsu (respectively). Arts that focus on grappling/throwing/joint locking, and that keep you off the ground, are the bee's knees for self defense, in my mind.